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A healthy workforce doesn’t have to break the bank

Looking after your staff’s health and wellbeing is critical – but you don’t need deep pockets to implement a successful wellbeing programme. Here, CIRAS members share learning and good practice on creating healthy workplaces on a budget.

Arguably, the ‘health’ part of ‘health and safety’ has become a ‘silent partner’, as companies strive to improve safety culture and performance. But when you dig into the factors that lie behind many safety concerns, common issues emerge - fatigue, stress, distraction, mental wellbeing. Things which are regularly reported to CIRAS. And they are health issues.

Over six events in November, 87 members got together to share experiences and ideas for improving workplace health and wellbeing. Government data tells us that 1.3 million workers suffered from work-related ill health in 2016/7, with new cases costing the UK £9.7bn in 2015/6[1]. There seems no doubt that investing in health and wellbeing is likely to reap benefits. However, many of our smaller members simply don’t have dedicated budgets or staff.

Fortunately, there were plenty of suggestions – and the key is to let staff take the initiative, while creating the conditions for them to pursue their ideas. Here’s some low-cost examples you might be able to use in your own organisation. We’ve used the headings from charity Mind's ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ model which a few of our members use:

Be active

Members have created lunchtime running clubs, yoga classes, five a side football teams and even a hula hoop challenge.

Connect

Exercising together helps people connect - so does simply setting time aside to spend with staff. At one member, traincare teams felt marginalised, so managers went on the nightshift to get to know them. Social events can also be beneficial and inexpensive.

Give

One member gives staff time off for volunteering. Others have invited colleagues to nominate a charity and organise fundraisers - giving and connecting at the same time.

Take notice

Taking the time to enjoy the ‘here and now’ costs nothing, and CIRAS offers mindfulness resources online. One member created a ‘time out’ room for staff, and another runs a mindfulness fortnight.